by Erin Yarrobino

Created on: July 31, 2008

Working out has many benefits to it, some of them being an increase in energy, more calories burned, weight loss, and a better mind for concentration. If you are like me, you are always ravenous right after a workout, so it is all about having a proper snack. It is just as important to nourish yourself after your workout as well as before your workout.

When you exercise during the day, you need enough energy to sustain you through the time you go home. There are some foods which are great for this. Powerbar is a great brand. This helps to calm your appetite because these bars have fiber, and there is a new product called Powergel, which is flavored gel instead of a bar. I have had this gel before many a run, and I could attest to the fact that you get through the run, and still have energy to burn.

Protein in general is great for keeping energy. Chicken, red meat, and eggs are just some examples of great post-workout food. Protein also helps you to build lots of lean muscle, a plus for when you want to show yourself off at the beach in the summertime. Protein keeps you feeling satisfied, and you are able to think more clearly. Protein makes you feel strong, and is also a great source of iron, a nutrient that you should replenish after having any strenuous workout.

Healthy, low-glycemic carbohydrates. Loosely translated, these are the whole-wheat carbohydrates, not the refined type. The refined type only makes you feel more fatigued. Choose whole-wheat breads, cereals, and brown rice. These foods are great for keeping your weight in check because the fiber makes you feel fuller longer. They must have at least two grams of fiber per serving, and the first word in the ingredients list has to be whole-wheat, not bleached or enriched flour.

If you are not going right home after a workout, you have to bring some sort of snack with you, or go someplace where there will be food. If you do not eat right after your workout, you will only end up eating more later, and this interferes with proper digestion and could leave you feeling too full to move around or relax. It also makes you more likely to eat unhealthy foods because you are desperate to choose anything.

Some things not to eat after your workout include high-sugar foods like cake, cereals, and donuts. These are high-glycemic foods, which make you feel hungry only a short time after consumption, and you will be more likely to eat more calories that day. Also, try to avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee or soda. These are full of stimulants, and will only leave you feeling more tired after awhile.

Exercising is something great for your body, but you need to do some things to make sure the full benefits come to you, and some of these things include a healthy diet. After awhile, the routine will become like a second nature, and you will see your efforts oaying off.

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